as in captivity
the act of confining or the state of being confined
the internment of Americans of Japanese descent during World War II is one of the more shameful chapters in United States history
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Recent Examples of internment
China detained more than 1 million Uyghurs in internment camps from 2017 to 2019 in the name of fighting extremism.
—
David Pierson, New York Times, 29 May 2025
In 1917, Woodrow Wilson used the act to curtail the activities and speech of German citizens, leading to the internment of more than 6000 Germans, though they were provided with a hearing.
—Richard Stengel, Time, 23 May 2025
The Trump administration justified the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, a piece of legislation from 1798 that previously was used as defense for Japanese internment camps during World War II.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
The story is based on Tokuda-Hall’s grandparents, who met at the library in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.
—Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for internment
David Pierson, New York Times, 29 May 2025
In 1917, Woodrow Wilson used the act to curtail the activities and speech of German citizens, leading to the internment of more than 6000 Germans, though they were provided with a hearing.
—Richard Stengel, Time, 23 May 2025
The Trump administration justified the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, a piece of legislation from 1798 that previously was used as defense for Japanese internment camps during World War II.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
The story is based on Tokuda-Hall’s grandparents, who met at the library in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.
—Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for internment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for internment
Noun
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At least 20 living hostages are believed to still remain in Hamas captivity.—
Diaa Ostaz,
ABC News,
28 June 2025
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The first-phase agreement ultimately allowed for the return of 33 hostages in Hamas captivity in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Noun
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The divorced father of three said he was detained in 2013 following an incarceration for violating probation related to a drug offense.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
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This panel will examine mass incarceration through multiple lenses and how the criminal justice system serves as a point of crisis of public health, black wealth building, voter disenfranchisement, and family structure.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 July 2025
Noun
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The central function of the judiciary, in all places, is the protection of individuals against arbitrary confinement by the executive.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
2 July 2025
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Alcatraz prison embodied terror, isolation and despair, where hardened criminals faced relentless confinement on a desolate rock surrounded by icy, inescapable waters.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 July 2025
Noun
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If convicted, the charges carry sentences that could send her to prison for years.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 July 2025
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An ex-con who went to prison for shooting a teenager to death during a birthday party went on to go into business as a gun trafficker in Queens after his release on parole, federal prosecutors say.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Internment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/internment. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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